Page 17 of Saving Little Clark

"True," Alex sighed, hugging his penguin a little tighter. "I just really like Will, you know? Like, I think this could be something really special. And I don't want to scare him off by bringing out the onesies too soon."

I nodded, my heart clenching in sympathy. I knew all too well how he was feeling - the giddy thrill of a new crush warring with the bone-deep fear of rejection, of being deemed too weird or broken or needy for love.

"I know it's scary," I said, reaching out to pat his knee comfortingly. "Believe me, I'm terrified of messing things up with Brody before they even get started. But we can't let that fear control us, you know? We have to be brave enough to be ourselves, even if it means risking heartbreak."

Alex was quiet for a long moment, his brow furrowed in thought. Then he let out a rueful chuckle, shaking his head.

"When did you get so wise? Wasn't it just yesterday you were calling me in tears because you dropped your ice cream cone at the park?"

"We agreed never to speak of that again!" I yelped, smacking him with a throw pillow. "It was a tough week at work, okay? Cut me some slack."

Alex just giggled, ducking out of the way of my fluffy assault.

Chapter 7: Brody

I woke up with a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth, the memories of yesterday's adventure with Clark still fresh and vivid in my mind. I rolled out of bed, padding over to the window to let in the bright morning sunlight.

I was just about to hop in the shower, still grinning dopily to myself, when there was a loud, insistent knocking. I groaned, glancing at the clock on my bedside table.

A familiar voice bellowed from the intercom. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty. Time to face the day."

I rolled my eyes, stomping over to yank the door open with a scowl. "Will, what have I told you about barging over here unannounced? This better be a life or death emergency, or I swear to god-"

"Oh please, like you have anything better to do than lounge around in your pajamas and pine over your new boy toy," Will scoffed, shouldering his way into my apartment like he owned the place. "Speaking of, how is Prince Charming this morning? Sore in all the right places, I hope?"

I felt my face flush hot at the implication. "Not that it's any of your business, but Clark and I are taking things slow," I said primly, crossing my arms over my chest. "Some of us prefer a little romancing before we go full cave man, thank you very much."

Will just smirked, flopping down on my couch and propping his feet up on the coffee table. "Ah yes, the noble art of wooing. All longing looks and chaste pecks on the cheek, how very Jane Austen of you."

"Better than your approach of clubbing your intended over the head and dragging them back to your lair," I shot back, swatting at his ankles until he grudgingly removed his shoes from my furniture. "Seriously though, what brings you here? Shouldn't you be off harassing the barista at your favorite coffee shop by now?"

Will's expression turned uncharacteristically serious, a hint of nervousness flickering in his eyes. "Actually, I'm here because I have something important to tell you. I just think I figured out why Clark and Alex seemed so familiar when I met them yesterday."

I frowned. "What do you mean? Have you met them before?"

"Not exactly," Will hedged, chewing on his lower lip. "But I've seen them around at the club for Littles and Daddies."

I blinked, sure I must have misheard. "A club for what now?"

Will took a deep breath, his hands twisting together in his lap. "Okay, so I guess it’s time for the talk. Some people are really into something calledage play…"

He explained what the various terms meant. I nodded slowly, still confused. "But what does that have to do with Clark and Alex?"

"I think they're Littles," Will blurted out, his words coming out in a rushed jumble. "I mean, I'm pretty sure they are. I saw them at this club I've been to a few times, all dressed up in onesies and playing with toys and stuff. I started looking through Alex's social media yesterday, and there were all these cute photos of them coloring and having tea parties and just generally being adorable."

He trailed off, his face flushing pink as he registered my surprised expression. "I know, it sounds crazy. But I swear I'm not making this up. Your boy Clark is probably a Little too."

I shook my head, trying to process this. Clark, sweet, shy, bookish Clark was a Little? Wanting a Daddy to coddle him? It seemed so at odds with the man I had gotten to know yesterday.

And yet, memories flashed through my mind. The way Clark's eyes had gone wide and shiny when I called himmy prince. How he had clutched my hand during the scary parts of the movie, his body instinctively curling towards mine for comfort and protection. The soft, breathy little noises he made when I kissed him, all needy whimpers and pliant surrender.

Surprisingly, I felt a sudden rush of fierce protectiveness, a bone-deep need to wrap Clark up in my arms and keep him safe from the world.

"Holy shit," I breathed, running a hand through my hair as I struggled to collect my spiraling thoughts. "It strangely makes sense.”

Will nodded eagerly, relief evident on his face. "Right? And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I might be into it too. The whole Daddy thing, I mean."

My eyebrows shot up at that, a surprised laugh escaping me. "Really? You, Mr. Commitment-Phobe Extraordinaire?”

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